NYRA Rewards members can now fund their online wagering accounts quickly and conveniently via MoneyGram

By Eric Wing | 05/01/2014 10:25 AM ET

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced today that it has formed an alliance with MoneyGram, a global payment services company, that now enables NYRA Rewards members to visit selected retail outlets and make cash deposits that will be immediately credited to their NYRA Rewards account.

NYRA Rewards members may make a MoneyGram deposit by visiting one of MoneyGram's 39,000 U.S. bill payment agent locations, including more than 2,000 in New York State, and following three simple steps:

Either complete the MoneyGram ExpressPayment® blue form, use the red MoneyGram phone or use the MoneyGram kiosk.

Pay the cashier the deposit amount plus a $1.50 deposit fee, and retain your reference number. (Deposit fees are higher for deposits of $500 or more.)

A list of participating MoneyGram locations can be found at moneygram.com/locations.

"This initiative makes it far easier to fund a NYRA Rewards account and play our races, especially for the legions of horseplayers in the five boroughs who were disenfranchised by the closure of New York City OTB," said NYRA CEO and President Chris Kay. "This is one of many planned steps to create an improved online wagering experience for our valued NYRA Rewards members."

The minimum amount for a NYRA Rewards deposit via MoneyGram is $20. Deposits to a NYRA Rewards account made through MoneyGram are limited to $2,500 per transaction.

About The New York Racing Association, Inc.

NYRA's mission is "Meeting the highest standards in thoroughbred racing and equine safety." Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York's three major tracks (Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course) through 2033, NYRA boasts a lineage that actually stretches back almost 150 years. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of the state's thoroughbred business which contributes more than $2 billion annually to New York State's urban, suburban and rural economy. In 2013, nearly 1.7 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring in nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races totals more than $9 million..

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced today that it has formed an alliance with MoneyGram, a global payment services company, that now enables NYRA Rewards members to visit selected retail outlets and make cash deposits that will be immediately credited to their NYRA Rewards account.

NYRA Rewards members may make a MoneyGram deposit by visiting one of MoneyGram's 39,000 U.S. bill payment agent locations, including more than 2,000 in New York State, and following three simple steps:

Either complete the MoneyGram ExpressPayment® blue form, use the red MoneyGram phone or use the MoneyGram kiosk.

Pay the cashier the deposit amount plus a $1.50 deposit fee, and retain your reference number. (Deposit fees are higher for deposits of $500 or more.)

A list of participating MoneyGram locations can be found at moneygram.com/locations.

"This initiative makes it far easier to fund a NYRA Rewards account and play our races, especially for the legions of horseplayers in the five boroughs who were disenfranchised by the closure of New York City OTB," said NYRA CEO and President Chris Kay. "This is one of many planned steps to create an improved online wagering experience for our valued NYRA Rewards members."

The minimum amount for a NYRA Rewards deposit via MoneyGram is $20. Deposits to a NYRA Rewards account made through MoneyGram are limited to $2,500 per transaction.

About The New York Racing Association, Inc.

NYRA's mission is "Meeting the highest standards in thoroughbred racing and equine safety." Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York's three major tracks (Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course) through 2033, NYRA boasts a lineage that actually stretches back almost 150 years. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of the state's thoroughbred business which contributes more than $2 billion annually to New York State's urban, suburban and rural economy. In 2013, nearly 1.7 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring in nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races totals more than $9 million..